OTTAWA - Kali Pocrnic scored a program-record 40 points on Saturday night as the Carleton Ravens advanced past the McMaster Marauders 94-77 to advance to the OUA semifinals.
In a wild back-and-forth third quarter, Pocrnic continuously found herself in soft spots in the McMaster defence and heated up scoring 18 points on 8-12 shooting. The run from Pocrnic was essential to Carleton's success as McMaster erased a ten-point Carleton lead on the back of Amy Stinson who went 5-for-7 from beyond the arc in the quarter.
Pocrnic wasn't the story of the first quarter, that honour went to Dorcas Buisa (Gatineau, Que) and McMaster's Emily Frankovic. With both players taking the game to the paint, Frankovic led all scorers in the opening period with 9 points while Buisa had 8 points and 2 rebounds in the quarter earning two trips to the foul line. McMaster controlled most of the first-quarter rebounds leading 9-6, but saw the quarter end tied.
In the second quarter, Teresa Donato stepped up for the Ravens, going 3-for-5 from the field to reach double-digits by the half. On 64.7% shooting, the Ravens pulled ahead by ten going into the break. At the half, it was a rather average night by Pocrnic's standards, quietly getting to 10 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. She was one of four Ravens in double-digits while Jenna Button was the lone Marauder to hit two figures with 11.
The third quarter was electric as the two teams combined to go 9-for-17 from beyond the arc and 18-for-39 shooting. Amy Stinson looked to be the story, going 5-for-7 from deep, Stinson scored on 4 consecutive three-point attempts to erase Carleton's 10-point first-half lead.
When things heated up, it was the Ravens' veterans, not coaching changes, that made the difference. "I thought Kali and Dorcas just settled us," explained head coach Dani Sinclair. "It was what you hope you get from your leaders this time of year, that they understand their teammates and the team dynamic. And, they were able to fix that."
The answer to McMaster's high-tempo offence came from Pocrnic.
With each trip down the court, it seemed more space opened up around the Ravens' 5'3" guard. Being left in space in the Marauders defensive zone, Pocrnic went 8-for-12 shooting putting up 18 points in the frame. As the Ravens' Nest came to life around Pocrnic, so did Carleton's defence.
Asked about the guard's accomplishment, coach Sinclair saw it as an example of being the ultimate teammate. "I thought it was an example of doing what the team needed in that moment," she explained. "She in no way is hunting stats or even trying to break records or anything like that, [...] she's just been around long enough to know that in that moment it's what we needed."
Leading by 5 entering the final quarter, Carleton generated three steals in the fourth quarter, stopping any momentum the Marauders could generate. Continuing to work into quiet spots on the floor, Pocrnic scored another 12 points before subbing out with less than three minutes to play. Kali's amazing performance was topped up with an unbelievable stat line of 17-for-33 shooting, including 6-for-9 from downtown, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.
Asked about setting the program record in such an important game, Pocrnic was quick to credit the team's commitment to their systems for her success. "Honestly, I didn't know the program history, the top score before, so that was pretty cool to reach, but it was all because of my team." Pocrnic would go on to explain how team play, including the fierce defence of Dorcas Buisa gave her the space to make shots.
"The way Mac played us in our first game, they were really gapping off of me, so miss or make, I'm either going to make the three or my teammates are going to get a rebound and they're going to put it up." Team play will continue to be essential if the Ravens are to continue their run to the Critelli Cup. "In the first half, we weren't really playing together as a team, like we normally are, and that just came together defensively. Once we turned that on in the third and fourth quarter, played for each other and committed to each other, that's when good things happened."
The Ravens' road to the U SPORTS Final 8 continues on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. when they host the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the OUA Semifinals.
